Terrorism common enemy of Afghanistan and Pakistan: Atmar

KABUL (Pajhwok): Condemning in strongest terms recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar said the people of Afghanistan suffered the most as result of Daesh attacks in recent months, a statement from his office said on Saturday.

Atmar expressed the President's and the country's deepest condolences to the people of Pakistan and in particular to the families of those killed and wounded in the recent attacks during a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz on Friday.

He emphasised that Afghanistan condemned these attacks in the strongest terms. Such attacks on civilians are abhorrent and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms as against both countries’ shared values and principles.

Atmar told Mr Aziz that Daesh has officially taken responsibility for the latest attack. Daesh attacks have killed and wounded hundreds of Afghans in recent months.

Both nations faced a common enemy, and recent attacks of Daesh and other terrorists at a University, a mosque, the Supreme Court and on peaceful demonstrators in Kabul and many other provinces had taken innocent lives.

Atmar called on Mr Aziz to work together against these terrorist threats. Afghanistan was ready to collaborate with Pakistan and other international partners to achieve this, he said.

Both countries must maintain strong and transparent commitments to preventing such groups from operating on their soil. And according to principles of cooperation and mutual interest, there should be no distinction between terrorist groups who themselves show no distinction between countries or people and no regard for human rights.

“We must find and execute effective strategies to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries wherever they exist.” Both agreed to consult with their leadership and discuss how to better respond to these terrorist attacks on both sides in a more coordinated and effective way, the statement said.